2. Ask yourself more empowering questions.
It has been wisely said that the quality of your life is based on the quality of the questions you ask yourself. For example, most people who find it hard to get to the gym ask themselves, "Why don't I have enough willpower to make myself get there?" Your brain will be happy to provide you with a list of reasons why you don't exercise: you're too busy, it is too far away, or you're too tired. This type of self-talk reinforces the idea that you can't be consistent with your latest goal.
3. Link the new desired behaviour to the willpower you already possess.
Imagine the difference when you pose a question that links going to the gym to what is most important to you. For example, if your children are most important, ask yourself, "How would going to the gym benefit my children?" Now your brain will create a list of reasons why going to the gym will support what you truly love. Perhaps by going to the gym you become a good role model for your children, you will have the energy to keep up with them, or maybe you will decrease your stress from the day and be more patient with them. Keep thinking this way until you can't imagine not going to the gym. You have just harnessed the willpower you use when making decisions for your children and linked it to the gym.
4. Repeat this process with all the areas of your life that are important to you.
Continue to link the gym to any area of your life that is valuable to you. For example, is going to the gym going to increase your finances? Allow you to function better at work? Create an environment to meet people?
The more you ask yourself these questions, the clearer it will become that all the willpower you need is right inside you -- you just need to tap into it.
Need more help achieving your goals? Learn about 5 ambition busters and how to fight them.
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Dr. Laina Shulman, co-founder of Pure-Health, is a chiropractor, consultant, writer and professional speaker residing in London, Ontario.
